Type or matrix.



C. G. BURDINE.

TYPE OR MATRIX.

- APPLICATION FILED DEO.10,191 2.

12 5% .nlllmm COLUMBIA PLAN llllllllllllllllllllllllll c4 Patented June 9, 1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES C. BURDINE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO MERG-ENTHALER LINOTYIE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPE OR MATRIX.

Application filed December 10, 1912.

forms of the oharacter-bearing member; and Flgs. 10 and 11 show a modification in perspective and edge view respectively.

The matrix comprises the body portion A, formed with the distributing combination A which latter is designed to cooperate with the well known distributer rail or bar. The body A is recessed as at A (see Fig. 6) to receive the annular character-bearing member B (see Fig. 7) which is held in close relation thereto, as by being pivotally connected thereto at C, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4: and 5. The member B is formed with a plurality of matrix characters B B any one of which may be brought into operative position by the rotation of the member about its pivot. In Fig. 1 the upper matrix character is thus shown, and in Fig. 2 the lower matrix character. The member B is also provided with stop shoulders B B which engage respectively with the limiting edges A A of the body A, in order to position and set the selected character in proper relation to the body, namely, with the matrix character B in the front ed 'e of the matrix, it being then normally held therein by the close frictional engagement of the parts.

Figs. 3, 8 and 9 show a modification, wherein the character-bearing member D is in the form of a polygon, preferably a hexagon. By this arrangement, when the character D is in operative position, namely, in the front edge of the matrix, the opposite parallel edge is located in the rear edge of the matrix. This construction of the parts insures the proper cooperation of the matrix with the mold and the other related elements of the machine. In Fig. 3, the matrix character-bearing member I) is shown as provided with a square recess C, which may be engaged by a transverse key or shaft, so as to shift the member, or a plurality thereof simultaneously, from one operative position to another at will.

The characters may be arranged in any desired manner or sequence on their supporting members. For instance, in Figs. 7 and 8, the upper and lower halves of a twoline character are illustrated, while Fig. 9 shows the upper character in Roman upper case and the lower character in italic upper case.

In Figs. 10 and 11, I show still another modification, wherein the matrix body E is formed of thin sheet metal, such as steel,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES C. BURDINE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Type or Matrices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States to O. Mergenthaler, No. l36,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a slotted mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

More particularly, it relates to a special form of circulating matrix for use therein, the construction being such that one or another of a plurality of characters thereon may be brought into operative position at will.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown my invention in preferred form and by way of example, and as applied to the kind of matrix shown and descri ed in the said Mergenthaler patent, or as employed in the commercial linotype machine, but obviously many changes and variations therein, an in its mode of application, will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, without departure from its scope. Thus, it may be used in connection with other styles of typographical machines, or with typecasters, typesetters, or the like, or any machines which handle type or dies instead of matrices. Generally speaking,I desire it to be understood distinctly that I do not limit myself to the specific forms or embodiments herein illustrated and described.

Referring to the drawing: Figure l is a side view of a matrix with my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the parts in different relation; Fig. 3 illustrates a modification; Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views, taken respectively on the lines 4:' 4: and 55 in Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the matrix body; Figs. 7 8 and 9 are detached views of different and is offset to form the ears E and also to give it sufficient thickness to receive the character-bearing member F, pivotally connected thereto at G. in difierent positions thereon.

."3 It will be noted that in all of the forms 3. A type or matrix adapted for circula If tion in a typographical composing machine l shown, the character-bearing members are j tion in a typographical composing machine and provided with a relatively movable character-bearing member WlllCll may be set detachably connected to the bodies, so that and provided With a relatively rotatable they may be removed and others substituted character-bearing member. therefor at Will. This feature is of iml. A type or matrix adapted for circula- 13 portance, in that it permits the employment tion in a typographical composing machine of matrix bodies in stock, and their proviand provided with an adjustable charactersion with any characters desired, and also bearing member frictionally engaging thereallows the characters to be replaced when with so as to be maintained in its adjusted WOI'IL It will also be seen that by the use positions thereon. of my improved ,matriX, l am enabled to 5. A type or matrix adapted for use in a dispense with the mechanism ordinarily emtypographical machine comprising a body ployed in connection with plural letter mat- I portion and a rocking character-bearing rices, this being due to the fact that the member secured thereto.

characters themselves are severally and in- 6. A type or matrix adapted for use in a 29 dependently ad ustable and usable. typographical composing machine compris- It will be obvious that means may be pro mg a body portion, a rocking character-bearvided for the mechanical adjustment of the ing member, and a pivot passing through character-bearing members, although such said parts and securing them together. means constitute no part of my present in- 7. A matrix adapted for circulation in a 35 vention, which relates solely to the constructypographical composing machine and protion of the matrix itself. Or if desired the vided With a movable character-bearing adjustment of the character-bearing menr member arranged so that its characters may bers may be effected by hand, either before he moved into the plane of the matrix edge.

the matrices are put into the magazine or 8. A matrix adapted for circulation in a after they have been set in line, accordlng typographical composing machine and proto the uses to which they are put. video. With a rotatable polygonal character- Having thus described my invention, its bearing member arranged so that its oppoconstruction and mode of operation, What I site edges Will lie in the planes of the matrix y claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent edges. 0 of the United States is as follows: In testimony whereof I hereunto set my 1. A type or matrix adapted for circulahand this 7th day of Decem er, 1912, in the tion in a typographical composing machine I presence of two attesting Witnesses. and having relatively movable plural letter CHARLES C. BURDINE. characters, any one of which may be brought lVitnesses: into operative position thereon, as desired. j A. M. PARKINS,

2. A type or matrix adapted for circula Crms. N. CRUIKSHANK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

